Thursday, August 20, 2015

Hiking Adventures #9: Mt. Pamitinan and Mt. Binacayan Twin Dayhike

After my last 2 rainy overnight climbs this year, I told myself to take a day trip only on my next adventure. I wanted to see the Sun above while hiking up so I can see clearly the beauty of nature. So I searched a mountain near Manila and came up on choosing not only one but two mountains in Rizal, the Mt. Pamitinan and Mt. Binacayan.

Mt. Pamitinan (L) and Mt. Binacayan (R)

The original plan was to climb the Lioness and Rhino Rock Formation in Norzagaray, Bulacan. But there are issues on the ownership and then it was suddenly closed, so we have to change plans. However, Mts. Pamitinan and Binacayan also offered rock climbing activities. The upper part of the trail in Pamitinan and Binacayan are mostly rock climbing.

Going to Mts. Pamitinan and Binacayan

We met up in Mcdonalds in Cubao along Aurora Blvd, and we're only 7 in the group. We left at around 5:45am and rode on a Public Utility Van going to Rodriguez, Rizal. We actually rented the van so we don't have to wait for other passengers and we can leave immediately. The agreement was to pay P600 and the driver will drop us in Brgy. Wawa which is already the jump-off. It was faster than the usual travel so I suggest to rent a PUV (even though the route is not going to Rodriguez, Rizal) if the group consist of 7 - 9 members.

DENR Station at Brgy. Wawa

We arrived at around 7:00am in Brgy. Wawa and proceeded to DENR station to register. We payed P2.00 per hiker as entrance fee. Yes, P2.00 only! and I thought we have to pay P300 as environmental fee but I don't know why they didn't charged us. Before we actually arrived at the jump-off, we already have a guide. Because Pluto initially contacted the guide while we're on our way. So I think it's a good thing to secure a guide while heading here.

Group Shot before to start the trekking

The Blogger with his close buddy Ish Cruz

Mt. Pamitinan

We started to trek after 30 minutes. The guides were suggesting to start with Mt. Binacayan because it is harder than Mt. Pamitinan. However, I decided to hike Mt. Pamitinan first before Mt. Binacayan since there are newbies and first timers on the group, and at least they can have a choice to continue scaling Mt. Binacayan. The initial part of the trail is a hanging bridge that crossed Wawa River. The latter part of the trail is well-established but more on assaults.

Hanging Bridge crossing Wawa River

Initial parts of the Trail

Pluto and April with Kuya Ronie at the Trail

The view at the halfway part of the trail

When we reached a little rest station along the trail, it is the start of our engagement with sharpy hard limestones. It's really important to wear gloves while hiking up with those stones. Also, it can protect your hands from tiny bamboo thorns. This adventure got more exciting when we do rock climbing literally at some part of the trail.

This is one of the sharpy Limestones

Rock Climbing along the Trail

The blogger facing this soon-to-open Mountain

We have reached the Peak 1 after 2 hours, and we took some photos before we proceed on the summit. The way up to summit from the peak 1 took another 15 minutes trek. It is advisable to start descent at around 10:00am, so that you can arrived at the jump-off at exactly lunch time if ever the plan was to go for a twin hike.

View at the Peak 1 of Mt. Pamitinan

The View at the Summit of Mt. Pamitinan with Mt. Binacayan and Wawa River at the background

Mt. Binacayan

This time we're only 3 in the group who climbed Mt. Binacayan together with our guide. Some of the participants just stayed on Wawa Dam. We started the trek at around 11:30am after we had our lunch. We decided to ascent on the trail where it used to be for descent, in-short we've done a reverse-traverse on Binacayan. The trail is really harder than Mt. Pamitinan especially the trail that we used to ascent. There are parts of the trail which are 70 degrees assaults and we needed to use ropes. Fortunately, Kuya Ronie brought ropes. We took the whole ascent after almost 3 hours.

Group shot at a Little Cave along the trail while resting

Pluto Diaz standing on a limestone

Zaldy Santos wants a candid shot on a limestone

Limestones at Mt. Binacayan

The view from Mt. Binacayan was very scenic overlooking the Sierra Madre mountains and the Wawa river. The limestones are more sharper and more difficult to climb than Pamitinan. Both mountains has it's own beauty but, I really enjoyed hiking Mt. Binacayan. However, still better if you climb both mountains. :)

The Blogger at the Summit of Mt. Binacayan facing Mt. Pamitinan

The Blogger at the Summit of Mt. Binacayan with Wawa Dam at the background

Special Note: There is no water supply on the top, and I experienced water shortage. I just brought 1 liter of water that I consumed on Mt. Pamitinan and then I borrowed another 1 liter on my friend but still insufficient because of the extreme heat. I suggest to bring 3 liters of water if you are planning to go for twin hike.

This day trip was kinda extreme and exhausting since I've done a twin hike. However, this is the most worth-it daytrip I ever had with perfect weather and coolest buddies. The people in Brgy. Wawa are really nice especially the guides and the officials. Our guide told me to come back and climb the mountain (I forgot the name) that will soon to be open. Rizal is so much blessed with mountains. I hope they will protect all of it. I'm willing to join a campaign to stop quarrying in the mountains in Rizal and in other parts of the Philippines.

Reach the top! Aim high!

Before we went back home, we first took a rest in the most visited dam in the country, the Wawa Dam. :)

About the Blog

Last Sept. 2014, Mark Kenneth Esguerra, an Application Developer tries to blog. He named the blog Pinoy Work-Life Balance which is all about his work-life balance activities, thinking it would help and inspire other people. Almost a year after, he realized that his blog posts was not justifying the blog title or at least only a portion of it. So he decided to change it and went on a personal blog. Then kennethesguerra.com was born.

Some of the blog posts from Pinoy Work-life Balance have been transferred to this blog. Now, the author can share not only the adventures of his life but also everything that he loves to share.